Students

Caroline Ingham

Caroline is a Drama BA(Hons) student. She got a real sense of what she could achieve when she looked around at a University Open Day. She likes the Drama facilities and makes use of the three main studios which are well equipped. Her tutors have experience in all areas including performing, directing and dance. Take a look at Caroline's video - she talks about the student-led theatre group on campus and how much her time here has really made her grow as a person.

Jamie Ashforth

For me coming to University of Huddersfield was about becoming a lot more independent, which I now definitely am. As for studying at university, the huge amount of teaching talent within my subject is amazing and I’m seeing drama and performing in so many new and different lights that I wasn’t really aware existed before. 

I’ve become involved in a lot of extra curricular things too such as 3rd year festival performances, which I’m gaining so much experience from. 

The course stood out for me because of the pure mix of theory and practice; the theory is challenging, which is a good thing and it is evident how it informs you for the practice you do.  The whole feel of the subject and the tutor-student relationships is great; I haven’t once hesitated to seek advice or guidance.

I’m hugely interested in teaching higher education drama and my degree from Huddersfield will go a long way in helping me achieve this. 

Lauren Carry

I chose my course because I thought that I could fully reach my potential by doing a joint-honours degree. I had heard from a few people that Huddersfield Uni was fantastic, so when I applied for university I made sure it was one of my priority choices. The facilities for Drama were absolutely beautiful - from the moment I stepped into the studio I decided that this Uni was the one for me!

The course content is challenging but amazing. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some fantastic tutors and done some great workshops which have helped me develop as a performer. My favourite module was one we did last year, called Creative Devising. It was challenging and I had to push myself, but it really developed my skills and confidence.

The Milton Building is amazing. It’s an old building which has been converted into Drama facilities, and it’s beautiful. Some of the rooms have big beautiful stained glass windows, which makes it a magical place to study. The studios are fantastically equipped and the building is always clean and tidy. The teaching staff are excellent, in every sense. They are supportive and push us to our limits to help us grow and develop as students. I would recommend the University as a place to study as it is fantastic and it’s shaped me as a person and I’ll take some much from my time here.

Alanna Craig

I’ve experienced so much since coming to university and it’s helped me understand the ins and outs of Drama. I chose Huddersfield University because of the people - everyone here is kind and welcoming at the university, they help in every way possible. The staff don’t make you feel as if you’re just a student, they make you feel like part of one big family.

I’ve experience so much since coming to university and it’s helped me understand the ins and outs of Drama and given me a taste of what I can achieve whilst I’m at the university - for example putting on my own play, working with people in the industry, researching practitioners and using their experiences in my work. The university has opened doors that I had know idea about.

When I leave university I’d like to remain involved in the theatre/drama world, whether it is as an actor, director - ultimately I’d like to have my own drama company. 

Penny Cunningham

When it came to picking my university, I was torn between Huddersfield and another, but I visited the department and was instantly won over by the building, the facilities and the tutors.  The general atmosphere of the place was very welcoming.  The collaboration with Slung Low and the input from my tutors encouraged me to believe that I could be a successful freelancer. 

I won a Special Drama Award for technical contributions to Drama and since graduating with a first I have worked as Assistant Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, Technical Manager for Slung Low, IOU and Proper Job.

Aliki Dourmazer

My choice of coming from Greece to the University of Huddersfield to follow the Ensemble Physical Theatre Master’s was made after I had completed my BA in Theatre Studies.  This was an extremely challenging course that introduced me to new theatrical cultures, new theories and practices on theatre and performance and introduced me to Ritual Theatre and Physical Theatre.

As for the MA degree – there are not enough words to describe the most valuable tools, principles and skills that our inspired teacher, leader and mentor John Britton offered us in such a pleasant way that involved both hard work and availability.  This experience was invaluable and has marked my way as a performer, director and facilitator.  I was taught the ethics of theatre and of studying it with a bonded group of people.

I was particularly impressed with the new technology in the buildings, the organisation, our beautiful theatre studios, the brand new fabulously designed library, the computers that we could use all the time.  The staff were also very helpful and our Head of Drama Deborah Middleton an invaluable leader, helper and friend.

Joe Howarth

Now I've graduated I will be working with Leeds based Slung Low, as well as my local theatre. I hope to be working at festivals and events as they come along as well.

The Lawrence Batley Theatre has also offered me a job in spring if I want to be involved in that show. A major highlight is obviously being able to further my knowledge and skills in technical theatre as it is an area which I aspire to climb the career ladder in. And I've made friends that I will keep in touch with way into the future particularly as the theatrical industry is quite small.

Working on the shows during my course was a brilliant experience that I enjoyed whilst honing my skills. Running a show is hard and stressful and really emphasises the importance of teamwork. A particular instance of this was during tech week where costumes ripped and something set on fire but thankfully everything came together in the end and if the audience enjoy the show it makes it all worthwhile.

This course has also given me contacts in the theatre industry like Slung Low which specialises in new works. I worked closely with the Oldham Coliseum and the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield working on the pantomime and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. 

Lucy Hinds, co-artistic director of Slung Low wrote about Joe:

"Just wanted to let you know how brilliantly Joe did on the Grassington show. He was professional and made himself utterly invaluable to the team. He lighting designed the entire show, which was challenging as it involved a generator, car batteries and 7 crumbling buildings! He is good spirited and enthusiastic and really did you all proud. Congratulations on an exceptional student."

Hayley Irving

I loved studying Drama at the University of Huddersfield because the course covers such a wide range of topics. I learnt about all different aspects of theatre, and also got involved in a third-year production - rehearsing was challenging but extremely enjoyable.

I chose the University of Huddersfield because I was impressed with the facilities the University had to offer when I came to audition. When I first arrived I wasn’t to sure on what aspect of theatre I wanted to pursue as a career, and the course at the University offers so many different aspects of theatre such as, acting, directing, writing for performance, teaching and design workshop practice. This gave me the chance to try out all different aspects and some things I had never done before.

After being given the opportunity to try many different aspects of theatre I decided that I wanted to write for performance, trying different mediums from television, radio, film and theatre, and to try my hand at professional acting.

Matthew Pedder

What attracted me to the University was initially the proximity to my home, as I’m a single parent and couldn’t stay near campus.  The facilities at Huddersfield are excellent though. The Drama facilities are fantastic and the ability to use them in your own time out of class is extremely valuable.  The library is brilliant too and the staff couldn’t be more helpful. I cannot speak highly enough of my main tutors (Eric and Hillary) and the classes they taught.  They were so knowledgeable about their own fields of study.  

If you're looking to study Drama, try and see some of the performances put on by current students.  If seeing the campus and the facilities available doesn’t make your mind up, I’m confident seeing the calibre of work done by those students will definitely make you want to be a part of it.

Karoliina Sandström

Drama graduate Karoliina Sandström discusses her time at the University of Huddersfield and what she has gone on to achieve since she graduated. 

"As I worked through my BA Drama course at Huddersfield I quickly identified that I wanted to focus on actor training theory and practice.  Throughout the course I worked professionally with Chol Theatre.  After graduation I had parts in Proper Job’s productions of Romeo and Juliet and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe before going to Mexico to work with Nicolas Nunez’s theatre company in Hamlet.  I’ve since completed my PhD at Huddersfield and continue to work in theatre in Mexico City. "